Some people just can’t stand to be ignored, and Rep. Condit is no different than your average self-destructive egomaniac with too much free time and too little conscience.

Condit is running for re-election to his California congressional seat, despite the fact his “very close” pal, intern Chandra Levy, has been missing for months and is not expected to turn up alive.

But after Sept. 11, when more than 3,000 people went missing in New York and Washington, Condit got a break. Police and the media were simply too busy to expend time and resources on a vain, 53-year-old case of arrested adolescence.

You might think Condit would consider being ignored a good thing. Obviously, you don’t know Condit.

Now, he’s issued a challenge through the Los Angeles Times. He’s daring his foes to mention the name Chandra Levy in connection with his campaign.

He sure sounds like former Sen. Gary Hart. In 1987, while running for president, Hart dared reporters to tail him if they doubted he was sexually faithful to his wife. They did. He wasn’t.

So let me be among the first to take you up on your dare, Condit, you arrogant jerk.

Chandra Levy. May the memory of the missing woman curse your campaign.

I don’t know if Condit is responsible for Chandra’s disappearance. But as sure as terrorists have operated on American soil, I believe Condit has tried to protect his sorry skin by obstructing justice.

D.C. police have complained about this tactic. We saw it in a TV interview with Connie Chung, when Condit steadfastly refused to talk about his friendship with the woman less than half his age.

Yesterday, a D.C. police spokesman sounded about as excited to talk about Chandra as to undergo a serious dental procedure.

She “is still a critical missing person, there are no new developments,” recited Officer Tony O’Leary.

Last summer, D.C. police combed landfills for Chandra. Now, the department seems absorbed in bigger things than one missing woman and a congressman seeking re-election.